Marisa O’NeilCool ocean breezes, reclining chairs and...

Marisa O’Neil

Cool ocean breezes, reclining chairs and the smell of burgers on the

grill welcomed Newport Beach Lifeguards and others to Newport Pier

Wednesday afternoon.

But attendance at the beach party came with one requirement -- a

pint of blood.

The lifeguards are hoping to reclaim their spot as top donors in a

blood drive contest among Southern California’s lifeguard agencies.

They’ve won four of the past five years, Capt. Jim Turner said, but

lost to Los Angeles County guards last year.

“We really push the camaraderie and competition of the blood

drive,” Turner said. “We tell them: ‘You’ve been out there saving

lives. Here’s an opportunity to come in and do it another way.’”

He asked all the lifeguards to provide a donation for the cause,

even if it wasn’t their own.

Those who weren’t eligible to give blood because of certain

medications, overseas travel or other reasons were encouraged to

volunteer a friend or loved one in their stead. Employees from other

city departments also took part in the drive.

Many of the lifeguards, like 18-year-old Katie Erickson, were

first-time donors. She wasn’t at all apprehensive about the impending

needle prick as she waited for Red Cross workers to call her number.

“I know I’m in good hands,” she said. “Needles don’t bother me.

But I’ve been told by people not to look when they do it.”

Another first-timer, 24-year-old Michael Ristau, figured he

wouldn’t have any problem giving blood. He just survived a

200-needle-prick allergy test and went skydiving on Sunday.

The barbecue by the beach, in front of the lifeguard headquarters,

served as an extra enticement to donors, Turner said. But some, like

city utilities employee Bob Caminiti, needed little excuse.

Caminiti has donated blood 27 times, about five times a year, he

said.

“Every little bit helps,” he said. “I give back because I’m able

to.”

Turner said he expected about 100 donors by the end of the day and

hoped to beat their previous record of 104 donations. They won’t know

which department takes this year’s title until sometime next week.

Win or not, Turner said, he’s glad the department can help those

in need in more than one way.

“I call it ‘laying down to save lives,’” he said. “They’re always

running and swimming to save lives. This way, they are laying down to

save lives.”

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@latimes.com.